“PRESIDENT, I HAVE ALREADY LICKED DE KID.”
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It was through the honesty of one of the hustling sellers that this new work was started, which became part of the great work and was carried on so successfully, and to such an extent that hundreds of valuable articles, from fifty cents in pennies to a diamond necklace, were found and returned to the owners. The following incident was the starting point.
A stranger gave a little seller, what he supposed was a new bright penny, for an evening paper, and passed on. The boy renewed his work, and a few moments later another gentleman purchased a paper, giving the boy a dime. In counting out nine cents, as change, the seller handed the man the new penny he had just received from a stranger. The customer said:
“My dear son, this is not a penny; it is a five dollar goldpiece.”
“I didn’t know it, sir”, replied the boy. “If you will please to hold my papers I will run after the man and try to find him—this isn’t mine.”
Around the corner the lad went at full speed. Up and down the street he looked but failed to see his man. He returned very much disappointed.
“He’s gone,” he said, “here’s your change—nine cents.”